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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

I am a public employee who supports Issue 2 (SB5). Some of my colleagues think I am out of my mind; but my purpose in doing so is to ensure that state and local governments can remain on a sound financial basis -- a goal that is by its nature opposed to those of collective bargaining. In support of my position, I cite none other than that union hero, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his Letter on the Resolution of Federation of Federal Employees Against Strikes in Federal Service, August 16, 1937:

The desire of Government employees for fair
and adequate pay, reasonable hours of work, safe and suitable working
conditions, development of opportunities for advancement, facilities for
fair and impartial consideration and review of grievances, and other
objectives of a proper employee relations policy, is basically no
different from that of employees in private industry. Organization on
their part to present their views on such matters is both natural and
logical, but meticulous attention should be paid to the special
relationships and obligations of public servants to the public itself
and to the Government.

All Government employees should realize
that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot
be transplanted into the public service. It has its distinct and
insurmountable limitations when applied to public personnel management.
The very nature and purposes of Government make it impossible for
administrative officials to represent fully or to bind the employer in
mutual discussions with Government employee organizations. The employer
is the whole people, who speak by means of laws enacted by their
representatives in Congress. Accordingly, administrative officials and
employees alike are governed and guided, and in many instances
restricted, by laws which establish policies, procedures, or rules in
personnel matters.

Particularly, I want to emphasize my conviction
that militant tactics have no place in the functions of any
organization of Government employees. Upon employees in the Federal
service rests the obligation to serve the whole people, whose interests
and welfare require orderliness and continuity in the conduct of
Government activities. This obligation is paramount. Since their own
services have to do with the functioning of the Government, a strike of
public employees manifests nothing less than an intent on their part to
prevent or obstruct the operations of Government until their demands are
satisfied. Such action, looking toward the paralysis of Government by
those who have sworn to support it, is unthinkable and intolerable. It
is, therefore, with a feeling of gratification that I have noted in the
constitution of the National Federation of Federal Employees the
provision that "under no circumstances shall this Federation engage in
or support strikes against the United States Government."

Public employees are comparably paid (to the extent jobs are comparable) to those in the private sector, and in many instances are better paid when medical benefits and pensions are taken into account. While we have had long periods of stagnant wages, we are not suffering compared to the population at large.

Keep in mind also, that Issue 2 limits the scope of collective bargaining, principally to wages. It does not abolish it. With a few exceptions, it has nothing to do with public pensions. Its purpose is simply to ensure that state government has the freedom to keep the budget in balance with respect to employee wages and benefits. An overview of Issue 2 appears in Ballotopedia.

A Yes vote on Issue 2 upholds the limitations on collective bargaining provided in SB5, a No vote repeals them.

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Triggers to Ohio Independence

If the federal government takes any of the following actions (referred to in my posts as "triggers"), the State of Ohio would be fully justified in asserting its independence, following the reasoning used by the Founding Fathers in 1776:

Replacement [or suspension] of the U.S. Constitution, or any amendment thereto that reduces the rights enumerated in the first ten amendments (Bill of Rights).

Establishing martial law or a state of emergency within any state without the consent of the legislature of that state;

Requiring involuntary servitude, or governmental service other than a military draft, for anyone of any age, except in punishment of crime (13th Amendment).

Surrendering any power delegated or not delegated to a corporation or a foreign government.

Federal Reserve Bank policy that induces a hyperinflation (a depreciation of the U.S. dollar at an annual rate of 20% or more).